Aqua Seafoam Chanel and Yellow Florals

June 4, 2018

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK YELLOW FLORAL PRINT DRESS | CHANEL BAG | 
KOIO SNEAKERS | VINTAGE SUNNIES

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY REBAG AND SAKU NEW YORK.

Us girls have heard of a few stores that offer a discount for a previously used luxury handbag. But not many matches up to top trends and top quality other than Rebag. Besides becoming a destination to find this season’s It bag for less than the retail price, Rebag has streamlined the process of buying and selling gently loved luxury handbags by simplifying the peer-to-peer sale process. Plus, for those in New York, the brand also recently opened a concept store so customers can experience the site in an IRL setting. (Aside from their app, which is awesome btw). Continue reading to see how I styled this beautiful aqua seafoam Chanel handbag with a vibrant yellow floral print dress, oozing retro 70s vibes with both European and Californian flair.

You know when you put on a dress and it just hugs you in all the right places; feeling so comfortable yet stylish at the same time? This long sleeved floral print dress with a deep yellow hue is it for me. I never ever want to take it off Seriously though, I love when you come across a designer that makes clothes that fit so well on you. Being a petite woman, it is hard sometimes to find pieces that fit right then and there without having to tailor them! But never in the case of Saku New York. This dress could be styled in so many ways, but I'm such a big time sneaker gal.

The yellow color inspired me to style the dress with aqua-colored accessories. Something just as rich in color but with a contrast that would complement well with each other. And colors that bring out the mood of summer. Well, to me at least. I find this outfit to be an inspiration between the Amalfi Coast of Italy and the West Coast of California. The aqua color reminds me of the sea, the shades of the ocean along with the yellow being the bright warm sun. I'd link these sunglasses in the post but they're one of a kind and I bought them on the streets of SoHo in one of the markets for $20. You know, one of those happy finds. How would you have styled this aqua seafoam Chanel bag?

If you have bags you don't use anymore, Rebag is a company that actually sells your bags for you. Perhaps you have a Michael Kors, Kate Spade or Coach bag you don't wear anymore, but you know it is in great condition. You can take some pictures of the item, submit it to Rebag, they'll give you a quote, let you ship the item to them for free and then pay you within 2-3 business days. As someone who normally sells things on Poshmark (that almost seem to never sell), it is amazing to know that there are companies that just pay you upfront for the item and sell it on your behalf. If you are interested in trying Rebag, use my discount code: SUZANNE for 5% off your purchase.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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How I Went from Criminal Justice to Fashion

September 6, 2017

WEARING: AVANZARA-B HOUSE OF KIMBERLY TEAL BLOUSE | GENUINE PEOPLE JEANS | 
THE KOOPLES JACKET | GUCCI BELT | 
BRAHMIN ANDESITE GABRIELLA MELBOURNE BAG | EGO METALLIC BOOTS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY EGO.

Happy NYFW! Let the fashion commence! Who is as excited as I am to see all of the SS18 collections for the upcoming season?! Since today is our first day of New York Fashion Week, I wanted to share with you guys a little more about my journey. What led me to here? Well, the title of this post sure must have caught your eye. Yes, you read correctly. I once almost became a cop instead of any of pursuit for a career. Instead of Detective Spiegoski, I'm Fashionista Spiegoski! So, how did I start from where I began and ended up here where I am today? Continue reading to find out more why I took such a leap of faith and why I am so, so, so grateful for my crazy (but intuitive) decisions.

Once upon a time, I grew up in an environment that was rough, both in and outside the home. Because of my surroundings as well as life experiences, I initially chose a path in law enforcement, even receiving a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. I even traveled to distant lands to learn more about the cultural diversity as well as the different types of government and policing procedures. My '5-Year Plan' was to get my degree, move to NYC and join the New York City Police Department, and quickly climbing the ranks from Sargeant to Detective. Specifically? Homicide. But once I moved to the city of my dreams (I had wanted to live here basically my whole life), I didn't know a single soul. I came here with $300 bucks in my pocket, 3 full suitcases, with a place to share in Spanish Harlem. My first apartment in New York was literally a closet. Okay... walk-in closet: Enough to fit a full bed, dresser, mirror and a clothing rack. I didn't need much else.

Because I didn't know anyone yet, I became lonely rather fast. With that, I began writing again, something that's been in my life since I was very little (my father taught me how to read and write at the age of 4) and I always found solitude in the power of my voice and the freedom to express my thoughts and feelings through words. And while doing so, my gut switched a flip. I no longer had the desire I once had in the career I chose. I felt lost. Confused. Young. Undiscovered. I gave it a good hard look before changing my mind, but I'm tellin' ya, even to this day, I can't tell you how thankful I am that I took that jump and decided to explore my options a bit further. From this, I've given back, teaching figure skating and working with kids for nearly a decade, wrote and published a novel, have had my photographs published around the world, and learned so much about myself in the process.

I just surpassed my 2-year anniversary of my blog, MaQ + Suz. Since then, I've only attended 2 seasons of NYFW [this week being my 3rd season (!)] and am starting to receive invites to other fashion shows globally. Now, for those of you wondering... have I always been a die-hard fashionista? Not exactly... but it's always been with me, so to speak. When I was very young, I used to illustrate what campaigns I saw from the Korean fashion magazines my mother had. I'd flip through them, find inspiration and would recreate my own version, with even the prices of each piece of clothing! From there, I became more interested in the world of fashion while in college (where I started to read Vogue religiously) but that fizzled once I decided to do something else in my life. It's funny now looking back because even at the age of 6-7 I was already studying fashion when I was creating collages of them on my bedroom walls.

I believe within a person's life, one will change many times over. Hopefully for the better. As you grow older and discover more about yourself, you will find out what you want, what you don't want, and who you really are. Part of the evolution of the path to self-discovery. And here I am now, a writer and photographer working full-time in the creative field and I couldn't be happier with my choice. Is it hard work? You bet your ass it is and I'm completely dedicated to it. Here's to making life's grand decisions and to fashion & style. Shoutout to this vintage teal blouse that belonged to my mother, the label says 'Avanzara–b House of Kimberly' but I can't find the brand on the internet. It's from the 80's back in Cali... and to these favorite new rose gold metallic boots from Ego, I feel like Wonder Woman strutting around in these. Hope to see all you other fabulous selves strutting around town as well this week! Happy Happy Fashion Week! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Avanzara–b House of Kimberly Teal Blouse Vintage

BRAHMIN ANDESITE GABRIELLA MELBOURNE BAG

Larna Pointed Toe Ankle Boot In Metallic Rose Gold Faux Leather

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The Morning After

January 2, 2017

WEARING: VINTAGE ROLLING STONES MOTORCYCLE LEATHER JACKET | 
INK DETROIT T-SHIRT | TERRANOVA DENIM | 
STEVE MADDEN BLACK ANKLE BOOTS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY INK DETROIT.

Happy New Year, my dear friends! 2016 had its many up & downs but what I'm most grateful for are the lessons learned from this past year alone. I've never grown so much, both professionally & personally, and can gladly thank my friends, old & new, for your wisdom and support. Your continued love can never be only expressed through just words – I may say a lot (or talk too much), but I thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for your inspiration, good laughs, and fun times, through the thick & thin of it all. You'll never know how much you all mean to me! I am not one to make resolutions... if you ask I'll give you something quite ambitious such as, "eating more donuts," or "learning how to bake more donuts." All kidding aside, I am very excited for the New Year and have a really good feeling that 2017 is going to be unforgettable!

Instead of wishing you all the happiness in the world or how I hope to travel more or be more intuitive, blah blah blah (!), just know that I'm wishing you all lots of whatever your gorgeous hearts' desire. And more importantly, where on earth I found this vintage motorcycle jacket! I'm a huge fan of the Rolling Stones (my favorite album is probably Sticky Fingers but so hard to choose from...) and received (okay, my husband) this from a dear friend. The second I discovered this beauty, I snagged (err.. 'borrowed') it. No idea exactly where it's from but here is a link to a few similar ones!

I also can't help but mention the backstory behind these Terranova Capri denim pants. They're over ten years old and from halfway across the world! When I was studying abroad in Ukraine, I found them in a store while in Odessa. I loved them so much I actually went back for them after first discovering them while out with friends. My 'Detroitish' t-shirt is from Ink Detroit... for those of you who may not know, I grew up in Detroit! I paired the look with sleek black Steve Madden ankle boots that I'm also completely obsessed with at the moment. I think I'll be wearing them rather frequently this first week of the New Year. ;)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Vintage Rolling Stones Motorcycle Leather Jacket

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Soft Toughness

March 14, 2016

WEARING: FOREVER 21 FAUX LEATHER BOMBER JACKET |
VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE FLORAL PRINT CHOKER BLOUSE |
J BRAND JEANS MID-RISE SKINNY BLACK | 
SEPCOEUR PARIS SUEDE DRAWSTRING BAG | VERSACE BY H&M GOLD FLOWER RING | 
GUESS CARRIE BLACK SATIN PUMPS

Spring has sprung - well, sort of. The funky, somewhere in between winter and spring weather has got me bundling up in layers one day, and then strippin' 'em off the next! So, in tune with this unsteady climate, I wanted to incorporate a big trend, and one of my all-time favorite ways to style, the soft and the toughness together. I always find the combination of soft, feminine pieces with hard rock -n- roll textures and shapes to be quite interesting. A superb example? Check out Chloé's SS16 runway show from PFW. Perfect representation of this.

For this look, I paired up a vintage choker blouse I've had in my closet for years with a high-ponytail. I curled my hair to give it extra bounce to bring out the dancing playfulness from the blouse. To enhance the feminine pieces, I added a bangle from Express, vintage earrings, and a gold flower ring from Versace by H & M (on top with my engagement ring and wedding band). I also kept my makeup light and fresh to stay with the romantic yet free-spirited feel of the entire outfit.

As for the toughness, I had to go with my favorite faux leather bomber jacket from Forever 21. I don't shop as much there now that I'm getting older, but I still hold a few pieces, near and dear to me, through the years. They do have some decent stuff! More black on black means my go-to J Brand skinny jeans with my wedding shoes! Yes, you read that correct! I know some women solely pick out their dream shoes for when they get married only to wear it once. And that's totally cool! But I'm sentimental and I like to wear things that remind me of who I am and where I started from. You see that red Fender guitar pick on the sole of one of my Guess pumps? It belonged to my father. Since he could not be at our wedding because of his passing, I, of course, had to carry something that I knew was very important to him. And that was his guitar playing every day. When I wear these shoes, I feel like I'm marching on to the beat of his drum - or rather, his music. He always used to say, "keep on keeping on". 🎶

Lastly, I want to tell you about an amazing not-for-profit organization I will be collaborating with, that's paving their way in helping everyone have access to healthcare! How can you help pay for the trips of volunteer nurses IN FULL to impoverished countries around the world and at the same time not feel guilty about owning a designer handbag? By re-selling your donated purses to Purses for Nurses! It's that simple! You can either donate your purses OR you can purchase a gorgeous designer purse and all proceeds go to aiding in better healthcare to all. The Sep Coeur Paris drawstring bag from this look is from them! They've got Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Burberry, Gucci, Kate Spade and more! Please go check them out here now!

Coming up this week on the blog, a full recipe post on those sesame broccoli bites AND another post on my very first Korean-inspired cocktail recipe! Stay tuned... you'll definitely won't want to miss out on these! 😊❤️

Photos by Gilles Decamps